Volume 10, Issue #16 - April 16, 2020 

In the name of Christ, we embrace all people to be nourished and empowered by the Holy Spirit to love and serve the world.
From Peter's Pen
Alleluia! Christ is risen!!

The liturgy (worship) last week took us through the roller coaster of Holy Week: from Jesus' triumphant entry into holy Jerusalem on Palm Sunday through to his resurrection from the dead, celebrated at the Great Vigil! As the Vigil tells us:

Let us hear the record of God's saving deeds in history, how he saved his people in ages past...

Over and over we were reminded that, although the situation within and around us may be difficult, God is in control. God stands with us: loving, guiding, celebrating, protecting, sorrowing, and traveling with us in every moment.

May you experience God's strength, God's hope, and God's renewing presence in your life today!

Love and Blessings,
Peter+

cell 502-661-2742
COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, direction from government officials, and leadership from our bishops, there will be no worship services or any group meetings in the church building until further notice.

If you have questions, concerns, ideas or suggestions to share, or if you have needs that your church family might help to meet, please contact Father Peter to discuss (email fatherpeter@ascensionfrankfort.org , or call 502-661-2742 ).

You may also email Deacon Rebecca Saager ( curate@ascensionfrankfort.org ) or Deacon Sue Kurtz ( deacon@ascensionfrankfort.org ).
ONLINE WORSHIP @ ASCENSION

  • SUNDAY, APRIL 26 - ST. GEORGE'S DAY - Everyone is invited to join people from all around the Diocese of Lexington for a special online worship service. Details will be published in the DioLink e-newsletter and on the Diocesan web site at http://diolink.org/diolex/ (this service will REPLACE our online Morning Prayer with Father Peter, only on this day).

  • Sundays: Father Peter will resume weekly Morning Prayer at 9.30 a.m. this Sunday morning, 4/19, on our Facebook Group Page. Please log in if you're able and invite others to "attend" as well: we can all use a little prayer and community during this time! Father Peter is continuing to lead Sunday morning Bible study (the Gospel of Mark) through ZOOM (after concluding Morning Prayer). Please text or email him if you want to be added to this group, providing your preferred email address.

  • Daily: Father Peter is leading Evening Prayer at 6:30 p.m. on our Facebook Group Page, beginning with any announcements as needed. All are welcome!

  • Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays: Deacon Sue is leading Compline on our Facebook Group page. Join her and say hello!

FACEBOOK:
You are invited to tune in to LIVE streaming, or watch recorded activities later as your schedule permits. Go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/ascensionfrankfort
Check it out, and comment to let others know you're watching! We also post announcements, articles, and links of interest on this page, so check it often.

ZOOM:
After contacting the group leader to sign up, you will receive a specific email invitation for EACH meeting, containing a link to click from your computer or smart device for voice and video, or alternately, a number to call from any phone for voice only.

VIDEOS:
Also watch for updates to Father Peter's VLOG (on Facebook and our web page ) and Ascension's new YouTube channel , featuring short, topical videos produced by Father Peter and Taylor Lunsford.

  • The first video featured Father Peter discussing, "What is Lent?"

  • The next video featured Father Peter hosting a discussion with his wife Nicole, a social worker, and Kristi Buffenmyer, of Everyday Matters LLC, regarding AUTISM AWARENESS. There is some really great information here about welcoming and interacting with people at church and elsewhere - please watch!

  • The next video featured Father Peter explaining the rituals and meaning of Holy Week and Easter services, followed by videos of Holy Week services inside the church with Ascension clergy.

ONLINE RESOURCES




  • Free Resources for Our Elderly and Homebound Members from Hometouch Ministry: "Our homebound members have been on our minds through this trying time, including those who live alone or are unable to leave their homes due to the ever increasing shelter at home orders. As a way to try and stay connected, we are providing 4 days worth of devotions and activities to send to the loved ones in your lives. We've also included a template that you may want to send to families in your congregation who would like to color a picture and send a note to those who might feel isolated. You may download these free resources for unrestricted, re-distributable use."



Find more resources listed on Ascension's web site, here:
CHILDREN

For families with children, consider having them create a scrapbook or journal about this historic event. Teach them to pray, to look for the helpers, and to express their questions, their fears, and their gratitude.

Godly Play is offering some resources for free or at a reduced cost around the theme of Courage and Kindness .

NEW: Children's Worship Bulletins has put together a page of free church lessons, bulletins and activity sheets and ideas for children and adults that you may share with family and others. You can find the page with links to the PDF files here: www.childrensbulletins.com/covid19-childrens-activities-for-churches .

Send a photo of your project(s) to Father Peter to share on our Facebook page!

OUTREACH

While the church is closed, our tradition of serving breakfast on Sunday morning is also suspended. However, there are still other ways that we can continue our mission of outreach.

First to mind is Simon House , which we work to support throughout the year. They are in desperate need of:
  • sanitizing items
  • cleaning supplies
  • soap and other hygienic items
  • baby formula
  • baby food
  • diapers and wipes
  • toilet paper - we have almost 20 people living in the shelter!

Simon House is also being overwhelmed with applications from the community for food boxes, and their residential house full of adults and children all need to eat. Residents do have their own kitchens to prepare food. Simon House also works to help feed and shelter others in the community in cooperation with the Food Pantry, Men's @ Women's Shelters, and other organizations. Food items including fresh meat, non-perishable foods, single-serving easy-open foods, breakfast supplies, drinks and snacks for kids would be helpful.

Note: During this critical time, ALL donations should go directly to Simon House. Note the delivery location of their new office, next to the Singing Bridge. To avoid delays and complications, remember to call ahead; DO NOT take items to the residence house on Campbell Street OR to Ascension, and do not "drop off" items without handing them directly to someone. (If desired, you may put "from Ascension" in the check memo field to let them know a donation is from an Ascension parishioner.) Thank you!
MEETINGS & OFFICE HOURS

Group meetings of three or more people should NOT be held on church grounds during this time. Investigate using cell phone conferencing, Facebook Live, ZOOM, or other remote meeting options.

Having a key does NOT mean that you are authorized to enter/use the building during this period of mandatory closure. If your group "needs to meet" - CHECK FIRST with Father Peter for authorization or options. Building traffic should be absolutely minimal.

Regular office hours are suspended until further notice.

Father Peter, Mona Proctor, and other clergy and staff may sometimes be working from home, or may be in and out of the office occasionally. Our Sexton, David Gierlach, and cleaning person, Anita Rogers, will continue their duties on their own schedules.

Other people are asked not to visit the office/church building without prior authorization from Father Peter. If you do enter the building for any authorized purpose, remember the six-foot social distancing rule at all times. Soap and hand sanitizer is readily available throughout the building - use it!

Our clergy team continues to work to stay in touch with our members who are sick or homebound, but in-person visits will be kept to a minimum during this time.

Please note: Our antiquated phone system will not allow us to update the 'outgoing announcement' voicemail messages! We hope to have the problem corrected at some point, but even if the message you hear is outdated, you may still leave a message. We will hear it the next time we are in the building, whenever that may be. If your message needs immediate attention, please contact Father Peter directly (email fatherpeter@ascensionfrankfort.org , or call 502-661-2742 ).
MONTHLY RECEIPTS

4/3/20: $3,325
4/9/20: $9,310
4/15/20: $3,097

We hope that our video produced services for Holy Week provided spiritual fulfillment during these difficult times. Please note the schedule for our continuing services on Facebook. We commend all clergy, staff, and lay parishioners who are generously giving their time and talents to these digital endeavors.  
We know this is a time of uncertainty and difficulty for all of us. As you take care of yourselves now, physically and financially, you will be able to help others later. 

If you have lost a job, need money for groceries or housing, or face some other hardship due to the pandemic, please feel free to talk with Father Peter, Deacon Rebecca, or Deacon Sue. They are 'plugged in' to channels for finding assistance that you might not know.
 
Please note that during this critical time, obligations of your Parish continue. We must continue to pay for payroll, utilities, facility maintenance, insurance, and more. We want to make sure that our doors can reopen when this crisis is eased. Our 2020 budget is already quite lean, and your gifts of time and treasure are crucial to the mission of the Episcopal Church of Ascension, Frankfort, Kentucky. 

In recent years we worked and prayed together to meet serious financial challenges. Please continue your pledge payments and make other donations as you are able. 
 
Address any payments sent by U.S. Mail to Church of the Ascension, 311 Washington Street, Frankfort KY 40601. If you are out of envelopes or stamps to send a paper check, we will be glad to mail you a supply. Email info@ascensionfrankfort.org or call 502-223-0557.

You may drop offerings and other paperwork, contained in an envelope, into the locked church mailbox. It is a brass box located on the parish hall porch that is nearest the main church door, mounted on the brick wall to the right of the steps.

If you would like to give "automatically" by authorizing a regular monthly deduction from your bank account, contact the office to get that started.
 
You may also donate to Ascension online: using a credit card at https://www.paypal.com/paypalme2/ascensionfrankfort 
(You do NOT need a PayPal account to do this - just a credit card.) 

If you have questions about the church budget or expenses, talk to any 2020 Vestry member, or to William Legg, Treasurer, or Mike Oder, Assistant Treasurer, or Jim King, Finance Committee Chair.

Please take care of yourselves and shepherd your resources. May God bless us all.

William Legg
Treasurer
THE BROTHERHOOD OF ST. ANDREW meetings are currently suspended. (Normally meets every other Saturday, in the parish library at 10:00 a.m.) Contact William Legg ( wleggwork@msn.com ) for details.
CENTERING PRAYER meetings are currently suspended. ( Normally meets every Saturday morning, 10:00 - 10:30.) For more information, contact Scott Kimbel, kskimbel@yahoo.com
THE DAUGHTERS OF THE KING meetings are currently suspended. (Normally meets (FIRST Sunday of each month, in the parish library after the 10:30 service.) Contact Judith Spencer for details ( jspencer254@yahoo.com )
Find the Diocese of Lexington online at www.diolex.org 
April 19, 2020
Daily Office Lectionary
Week of Two Easter, Year Two - BCP 959
OR go to www.lectionarypage.net and choose by calendar date.
Intercessions for the Church: St. Philip’s Church, Harrodsburg - The Rt. Rev. Larry Maze, Priest-in-Charge.

Recently in need of prayers: Barbara; Bill; Bob & Angela; Candy & Tony; Daneen; Donnie; Edith & Marion; Gus; Heidi & Ian; Greg; Jon; Josh; Linda; Madonna; Marie.

Continuing concern: Betty; Carrie & Shawn; Collin; Dan; Darlene; David; Debbie; Dillard; Doris; the Duncan Family; Erika; Faye & Steve; Gillian; Ginni & Vic; Holly; Isaiah; James & Stella; Janet; Janice; Jean; Jinks; John; Julia; June; Lara; Linda; Mac; Marilyn; Mary; Melissa; Mike & Susie; Natalie; Polly; Scott & Kathy; Sherri; and Tom. We also pray for those on active duty in the military: Daniel, Houston, Mary Jo, Nick, Seth, Tanner, and Walter.

Birthdays: 4/21 - John Bullock, Tiffany Fletcher; 4/22 - Maggie Campbell; 4/25 - Hannah Lee.

NOTICE:
 Part of the strength of this congregation is our care and concern for each other. Please help us to do this by letting the church office know when you are ill, hospitalized, or otherwise in need of prayer and/or visitation. We especially want to serve you during these times.  Also, if we don’t have your birthday or anniversary on file, or if it appears incorrectly, please let us know!  Call the office at 502-223-0557 (messages are checked periodically), or email curate@ascensionfrankfort.org
Pre-Planning for End of Life

Rite I or Rite II? Eucharist or no? Burial service in the church, or only a graveside committal? Special music, songs, readings, people? Please consider writing your preferences on a “Funeral Information and Burial Instructions” form, for secure long-term storage in the parish office. This confidential information will serve as a guide to the church and your family after your death. A 'Kentucky Living Will Directive and Health Care Surrogate Designation' Form is also available.

Ask in the office or one of the Deacons for a blank form, or download from our web site at: https://www.ascensionfrankfort.org/links

Return the completed form(s) to Deacon Rebecca, Deacon Sue, or to the parish office.
Clergy and Staff

  • The Rev. Peter Doddema, Priest
  • The Rev. Dr. William G. Brown, Associate Priest Emeritus 
  • The Rev. Deacon Rebecca A. Saager, Curate
  • The Rev. Deacon Susan E. Kurtz, Deacon
  • Mr. John B. Martin, Director of Music & Organist
  • Ms. Mona Landrum Proctor, Parish & Financial Administrator 
  • Mr. David Gierlach, Sexton



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